Serial Set numbering proposal

FDTF moves that GODORT recommend to GPO the Serial Set numbering proposal which would classify the Serial Set and its components in X1. class. (see GODORT letter to GPO, with enclosure, dated January 29, 1980 below)

Enclosed is a proposal for Superintendent of Documents classification numbers for the Serial Set and its components (Senate and House documents and reports) prepared by the Federal Documents Task Force of the Government Documents Round Table at its January 1980 Midwinter meetings. The proposal is a direct response to requests from many Federal depository librarians that Survey 79-27 not be implemented until a system of discrete classification numbers could be established for the various series of Congressional documents and reports making up the Serial Set. From conversations with Jim Livsey the Task Force concluded that its suggestions would be welcomed by the Library Division.

Accordingly, the problem was first discussed by the Federal Documents Task Force Study Committee on SUDOC Classification Numbers where various suggestions were narrowed down to two specific proposals. The two schemes were then debated at some length and with much feeling the following afternoon at a meeting of the Task Force Work Group on Acquisitions and Bibliographic Control. At this time Stuart Greenberg introduced a third scheme for Work Group consideration and further debate ensued. The vote taken after this series of lengthy deliberations indicated overwhelming support for the enclosed X 1. proposal, which was then recommended to and approved by the Federal Documents Task Force and, subsequently, by the full membership of the Government Documents Round Table at its Midwinter business meeting of January 23.

The Serial Set is, in truth, a national treasure. We believe that the proposed X 1. classification breakdown both provides a practical and efficient means for handling the Serial Set either in paper or microfiche format and ensures full and effective public access either manually or by machine-readable automated systems (e.g., OCLC's alpha-numeric SUDOC search key).

We ask that you give your full consideration to the implementation of this SUDOC classification proposal.

Francis J. Buckley, Jr.
Chairperson, GODORT

Enclosure

SERIAL SET PROPOSAL

Each Congress shelves or files together; Congressional documents and reports shelve or file in Serial Set order. Classification numbers are fully machine-readable since there are no alpha characters in the number.